Kal Sajad
BBC Sport Journalist

Joshua had only just returned to the ring after more than a year out, beating Jake Paul on Netflix in what was a huge pay day, and he was in Nigeria simply to spend New Year with family when this tragedy struck.

The plan had been for Joshua to fight again in Saudi Arabia in February before eventually moving towards the long-talked-about Tyson Fury bout later in 2026. But right now, those plans feel secondary.

Joshua has lost two people close to him, friends first and foremost, including his long-time strength and conditioning coach Ghami, and the emotional impact of that is impossible to measure. Ghami was by his side throughout fight week in Miami, and joined him in the ring after his win over Paul.

Whatever he decides to do next in the twilight of his career almost feels insignificant, with the boxing world united in hoping that one of Britain's most accomplished fighters comes through this ordeal in good health.

We're closing our live coverage now. You can head to our news story for more updates. Thank you for joining us.

Image source, Getty Images

Tributes are pouring in for Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, who died in the crash in Nigeria, from the world of boxing and beyond.

Boxer Chris Eubank Jr posts on X: "Thank god our heavyweight champ survived that horrible car crash. And pray for the two fallen soldiers Latz & Sina & their families. I knew both… they were genuinely good men. Rest in Peace boys."

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who lost to Anthony Joshua earlier this month, posts: "RIP Sina Ghami and Kevin 'Latif / Latz' Ayodele. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends and AJ."

Former New Zealand rugby star and boxer Sonny Bill Williams posts pictures with Joshua and Latif, adding: "Rest easy brother Abdul Latif, may the most high make it easy for your loved ones."

British bantamweight Shannon Courtenay says: "RIP Sina and Latz, two good guys. Last week we're all having fun in Miami and today you're gone, life really is too short. May the Lord look over their loved ones during this awful time."

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Hearn, chairman of Anthony Joshua's promoter company Matchroom, has paid tribute to Sina Ghami and Latif "Latz" Ayodele.

"With the heaviest of hearts," he posted on Instagram.

"Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone."

Image source, Reuters

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu says he has spoken to Anthony Joshua to convey his condolences over the death of his two friends in a car crash near Lagos.

"I wished him a full and speedy recovery, and prayed with him. AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care," Tinubu posted on social media.

"I also spoke with his mother and prayed for her. She was deeply appreciative of the call," he added.

Image source, Instagram/ anthonyjoshua

We can now confirm that the two people killed in the car crash are Anthony Joshua's teammates, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.

Just hours before the crash, Joshua posted an Instagram story of him and Latif Ayodele - known as Latz, playing table tennis.

Latif, a personal trainer, had several photos of himself with Joshua on his Instagram.

Ghami specialised in sports rehabilitation and injury prevention, according to his social media. He posted a story from Lagos before the crash and also had photos with Joshua on his page.

It's now been confirmed that the two men who died were Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

Both worked closely with Anthony Joshua, and they were all good friends.

Sina Ghami

Image source, Instagram/ sina_evolve

Sina Ghami was Joshua's strength and conditioning coach for more than 10 years.

He also co-founded Evolve Gym in London, which says on its website that Ghami was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator who specialises in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise.

He had worked with athletes in the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA) and Michigan State University football team.

Latif "Latz" Ayodele

Image source, Instagram/ badoujack

Latif "Latz" Ayodele was Joshua's personal trainer.

His passion for the gym is clear on his social media pages, as is his dedication to Islam.

"Finding Islam in 2012 has been my biggest blessing," he wrote in a pinned post from 2020.

Here is the full statement from Matchroom Boxing, Anthony Joshua's promoter:

Anthony Joshua was involved in a road traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria, earlier today.

With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away.

Matchroom Boxing and 258 BXG can confirm that Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment. He is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.

Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected – and we ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.

No further comment will be made at this time.

Image source, Instagram

The two men who died in the crash were Anthony Joshua's friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif "Latz" Ayodele, his promoter Matchroom Boxing has confirmed.

In a statement, Matchroom Boxing said Joshua was taken to hospital for "checks and treatment" and is in a "stable condition and will remain there for observation".

A much-anticipated fight between Anthony Joshua and fellow Briton Tyson Fury had been suggested for 2026.

The pair have never met in a professional fight, despite years of hype and negotiations, but there had been renewed optimism the heavyweight super-fight could happen towards the end of next year.

Joshua called out Fury after his win over Jake Paul earlier this month.

"Come and fight one of the 'realest' fighters out there, step in there with me next if you're a really bad boy," Joshua told his rival.

Fury has not fought since his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024.

Image source, PA Media

Let's bring you another video.

In it, Anthony Joshua is seen being helped up from a kneeling position on the road and led away from the crash site and into what looks like a police car, as rescue officials and bystanders direct traffic around him.

Here's a quick recap of what we know - and don't know - about the crash in Nigeria:

What we know

• Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has been injured in a car crash along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, north-east of Lagos
• A witness tells the BBC the car crashed into a truck that had broken down on the side of the road
• The Federal Road Safety Corps in Nigeria says the car - a Lexus Jeep - was suspected of travelling over the speed limit and crashed while overtaking
• Officials say five people were involved in the crash; two people died, while Joshua was rescued alive with minor injuries, and two others were unhurt
• The boxer was travelling from Lagos to the family home, according to a relative

What we don't know

• We know Joshua has got minor injuries - but we don't yet know exactly what those injuries are
• We also can't yet confirm the identities of the people travelling with him, including the two men killed - Nigerian media The Guardian reports they are British nationals, and the UK Foreign Office says it is "urgently investigating" the incident

Joshua has spent "most of the last year" in Nigeria because it's a place where he "doesn't have to be Anthony Joshua", says BBC boxing expert Steve Bunce.

"He does something that’s really interesting, once he’s there he’s in shorts, flip flops and a T-shirt... he blends in, and he’s talked about that quite openly," Bunce tells Radio 5 Live.

Bunce says it was "harrowing" to see videos of the former world heavyweight champion in pain as he was helped out of a wrecked SUV following the fatal crash.

Image source, Getty Images

An eyewitness has told the BBC about the moment of the crash.

Musbau Pelumi Ajetunmobi describes seeing four cars coming from Lagos, Nigeria's largest city.

"The cars were speeding and trying to navigate, and they hit a truck parked in front of our shop," he tells BBC Pidgin.

He says four people were inside Joshua's car. Joshua was trapped inside the car for about 20 minutes, he says.

"We saw him and said, 'He is our glory here in Nigeria', and went to rescue him.

"He walked out by himself, greeted the crowd, thanked people, and shook hands," he says.

The UK Foreign Office has told the BBC it is "urgently investigating reports of a road incident in Nigeria involving at least one British national".

A spokesperson said it stands ready to "offer consular assistance, if requested".

"Our thoughts are with those affected, and their families," they added.

Local media outlet The Guardian is reporting that "two Britons" have died in the car accident. The BBC has not independently verified that.

We've just had another update from the Ogun state government, which says Anthony Joshua is conscious and has been in touch with his family.

"Anthony Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos.

"Following comprehensive clinical assessments, doctors have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency medical intervention at this time.

"A full medical team has been assembled and will continue to monitor them closely," the statement says.

Image source, officialABAT / X

Nigeria's president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has offered his sympathies to Anthony Joshua after a crash that claimed two lives and left Joshua injured.

"This immense tragedy casts a deep shadow on this season. I sympathise with you and your family as you bear the emotional weight of this unfortunate incident," he says in a statement posted to X.

"As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country. These are qualities that have made you a source of national pride.

"I pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for you during this painful period. May God grant you a speedy recovery and repose to the souls of the departed."

Image source, Getty Images

Anthony Joshua is a former two-time heavyweight champion and one of the most high-profile fighters in British boxing.

Born in Watford to British-Nigerian parents he rose to prominence by winning Olympic super-heavyweight gold for TeamGB at London 2012 before turning professional later that year.

Joshua captured the IBF heavyweight title in 2016 and went on to unify the division with victories over Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin.

His dominance was ended by a surprise defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, though he reclaimed his titles in the immediate rematch later that year.

Back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022 ended his second reign, and a period of rebuilding under new trainers has followed for a fighter known for his athleticism, punching power and commercial appeal.

He was appointed an MBE in 2013 for his services to boxing following his Olympic success with an OBE following in 2018 for his broader services to sport.

New footage provided to the BBC shows Joshua in the back left seat of the vehicle he was travelling in.

The video, filmed from the left-hand side of the severely damaged SUV, shows Joshua raising his right forearm inside the dark interior of the vehicle, where he appears to give a thumbs up to the crowd gathered outside.

The British boxer received minor injuries in the Nigeria crash that killed two men.

These images show the extent of the damage done to a stationary lorry that police say was crashed into by the SUV carrying Joshua.

Of the five men involved in the crash, two are confirmed to have died, two were unhurt and Joshua sustained minor injuries.

Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps says the SUV was suspected of travelling over the speed limit and was overtaking another car when it crashed.

Anthony Joshua is seen in the footage below grimacing in pain as he's rescued from the vehicle involved in the crash.

Behind him a man in a suit and tie helps the boxer from the car, while Joshua is also assisted from the front.

The footage, circulating online, shows several men gathering around the site of the crash during the rescue.